High specificity THz metamaterial-based biosensor for label-free transcription factor detection in melanoma diagnostics
Merle Richter, Yannik Loth, Anna Katharina Wigger, Daniela Nordhoff, Nicole Rachinger, Christian Weisenstein, Anja‐Katrin Bosserhoff, P. Haring Bolívar
Abstract
In this work, we present a promising diagnostic tool for melanoma diagnosis. With the proposed terahertz biosensor, it was possible to selectively and sensitively detect the early growth response protein 2, a transcription factor with an increased activity in melanoma cells, from a complex sample of cellular proteins. Fundamentally, the sensor belongs to the frequency selective surface type metamaterials and consists of a two-dimensional array of asymmetrically, doubly split ring resonator unit cells. The single elements are slits in a metallic layer and are complemented by an undercut etch. This allows a selective functionalization of the active area of the sensor and increases the sensitivity towards the target analyte. Hereby, specific detection of a defined transcription factor is feasible.